"We have agreed not to take their channels down, but they've threatened to pull them," DISH Network spokesman Marc Lumpkin said of LIN Media.

"LIN Media is demanding more than a 140 percent rate hike and other burdensome contract terms that ultimately will result in higher prices for consumers," DISH said in a news release.

"We can't talk about actual contract negotiations," said Courtney Guertin, corporate communications manager for LIN. "Both sides can't talk about actual dollar figures. What I can tell you is it's pennies a day. Any increase in pennies seems like large percentage. If you go from 1 cent to 2 cents, it's 100 percent. The 140 percent is really a scare tactic on their behalf."

Lumpkin said LIN was using "scare tactics."

"Call DISH and tell them you don't want to lose WAVY-TV & WVBT-TV and all of your favorite programming," WAVY's website reads. "You can reach DISH by calling 1-800-333-DISH."

The contract is due to end Friday at midnight MST, 2 a.m. here. Negotiations are continuing. If it's not resolved, viewers can watch the local stations over the air by antenna or "by switching to a competing pay-TV provider," WAVY's website said.